AIDS COUNCIL CELEBRATES TESTING MILESTONE

The Queensland AIDS Council (QuAC) has reached a key milestone in their efforts to improve the health of the LGBT community, having recently performed their 5000th STI test.

QuAC began testing community members on a one night per week basis in November 2012 before broadening their approach in September 2013 when they launched Clinic 30 – a full sexual and mental health service open five days per week, staffed by male and female GPs, clinically trained clinicians, and counsellors offering targeted services for Brisbane’s LGBT community.

The testing figures released by QuAC dating from November 2012 to mid-March 2015 indicate that 1264 people had used the free community service, with most people opting for the full range of tests available (HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea, & chlamydia) totalling 5035 STI tests being performed.

Executive Director of the Queensland AIDS Council Michael Scott says that his organisation was very grateful to the volunteer clinicians and other community members who allow the service to operate so effectively. “The numbers show a clear commitment to our community’s sexual health,” Mr Scott said. “Many of the people accessing our services comment on how welcoming and professional our service is, with testing happening by fully trained clinicians in a peer based setting.”

“We test for all STIs because we know that sexual health is far more than testing for HIV. Not only do all STIs have a significant impact on a person’s sexual health, but the presence of an STI increases the likelihood of HIV transmission.”

Clinic 30 is open Monday to Friday at 30 Helen Street, Teneriffe. For appointments and more information please visit www.clinic30.org.au or call 3017 1777.